Ancient History MA

The Ancient History MA is an intercollegiate degree programme of the University of London. It provides the opportunity to explore disciplines useful to ancient historians and to investigate auxiliary techniques which cannot usually be learned in a first degree, including archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, papyrology, and textual criticism.

Key Information

Modes and duration

Full-time: 1 year

Part-time: 2 years

Tuition Fees (2015/16)

UK/EU:

£8,755 (FT)£4,375 (PT)

Overseas:

£17,250 (FT)£8,755 (PT)

Application deadlines

All applicants:

31 July 2015

Entry Requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Knowledge of a relevant ancient language (e.g. Latin, Hebrew, Akkadian) is a prerequisite (minimum GCSE or one year's study as part of a BA degree).

English Language Requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

International students

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.

Select your country:

International equivalencies

Degree Information

Students gain a thorough grounding in the key aspects of and approaches to ancient history. They develop the ability to assess historical evidence critically and synthesise historical data from printed, manuscript, archaeological, numismatic, epigraphic, and papyrological sources, and are equipped with the tools necessary for further research in this field.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of one core module (40 credits), between two and four optional modules (80 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core Modules

Sources and Methods in Ancient History

Dissertation in Ancient History

Options

Options include the following (for a full list please see our website below):

Greek Epigraphy

Latin Epigraphy

Greek Papyrology

Change and Continuity in the Ancient Near East

Economic and Social History of Archaic and Classical Greece

Territory and Identity in Ancient Greece (King's College London)

Roman Egypt

Economic and Social History of Rome (Royal Holloway)

Roman Britain (King's College London)

The City of Rome (BA/MA), (Royal Holloway)

Propaganda and Ideology in Rome

Ancient Rome on Film

Greek and Latin language at various levels

Lived Religion in Ancient Greece

Constantinople

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project in the field of Ancient History, which culminates in a dissertation of up to 12,000 words.

Teaching and Learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and museum visits. Most teaching is available inside UCL, but some is held in other London colleges; certain subjects are taught by staff at the British Museum. Assessment is through unseen examinations, coursework essays, and the dissertation.

Further information on modules and degree structure available on the department web site
Ancient History MA

Funding

For the most recent information on funding available for 2015/16 entry please see the UCL HIstory website.

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below. For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Top career destinations for this degree

London Executive, Advent International (2009)

Internship, Sotherby's (2010)

Diplomat Desk Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2011)

Management Consultant, Price Waterhouse Cooper (2011)

Employability

This degree allows students to develop an enviable range of skills which not only provide an outstanding foundation for those wishing to undertake PhD research and pursue an academic career but is popular with students wishing to go into journalism, the civil service, business, museums and heritage and the education sector. Debates, small group seminars and tutorials help students to acquire strong presentation and negotiation skills for their future career. Likewise the analytical and research skills gained by students on this programme are highly valued by employers from a range of industries. There are many additional activities available, both within the department and the wider UCL community, to help students focus on employability skills whilst they are here, for example, departmental careers talks and networking opportunities with history alumni.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL History enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching.

UCL has one of the world's strongest traditions of research in Ancient History, from the Ancient Near East to the fall of the Roman Empire. Students benefit from individual supervision from leading historians.

Located in Bloomsbury, UCL History is just a few minutes' walk away from the exceptional resources of the British Library, the British Museum and the research institutes of the University of London, including the Warburg Institute and the Institute of Historical Research.

Application and next steps

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

Who can apply?

The programme provides the ideal foundation for further research work, and will also appeal to students with a first degree in a relevant background who wish to extend their knowledge through a further year of study.

how your academic background meets the demands of this challenging programme

where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and how your interests match what the programme will deliver.